Chapter Twenty-Six

Dale cursed the traffic and her own decision to drive her work truck to New York. After circling Mai’s building for a thousand times she found a spot to wedge her truck into.

Should have texted earlier. What if she’s not alone? Why did I think this would be a good idea? Fuck. Dale’s hands were sweaty on the wheel. She got out, locked the truck, and walked the four blocks to Mai’s building.

The doorman eyed her suspiciously while he called Mai’s apartment. Dale noted the posh surroundings and shook her head at the idea Mai had spent months sleeping on her lumpy couch when she could afford to stay in a place like this. The doorman finally let her in, and she walked through the foyer of the building.

Her boots were loud on the marble floor. Fake pine wreaths wrapped with holiday ribbon reminded Dale she had not finished Christmas shopping. She swiped her wrist over the line of sweat at her hairline. Loud chimes announced the elevator’s arrival. The doors opened and she stepped into the car.

The numbers flew by as it climbed the high-rise. As each floor passed, Dale was convinced she had made a huge mistake. The jolt of the elevator as it stopped on the eighteenth floor broke her out of her thoughts. The doors opened and she stepped out onto the plush carpet. At the end of the hall, Mai waited. The door to her apartment stood open behind her.

Dale swallowed her fear and forced herself to walk when all she wanted to do was run and scoop Mai into her arms and kiss her until they were both breathless.

Mai’s mouth curved into a half smile. “You lost?”

Dale shook her head. “Hell of a wrong turn if I am.”

Mai crossed her arms over her chest. “Social call? Or business?”

Dale stopped squarely in front of Mai. “Depends.”

“On what?”

Dale latched onto the front of Mai’s shirt with one hand, pulled her close, and kissed her. She dug her other hand into her wet hair and breathed in Mai’s sandalwood soap and underneath it the familiar of scent of her skin. Mai circled her arms around Dale and met her kiss with the same passion. A deep groan rose from Dale. Home. Whatever else she needed to do, she needed Mai in her life.

Dale broke the kiss and held Mai’s gaze. “On you. If you forgive me. I was unreasonable.”

Mai brushed Dale’s hair back of her shoulders. “I could have taken the time to talk to you.”

“We hadn’t agreed to that kind of thing.”

Mai kissed the corner of Dale’s mouth. “We didn’t talk about a lot of things.”

Dale rested her hands on Mai’s chest. “I love you, Mai Li. I want you in my life. Whatever it takes, I’ll do it.”

Mai rested her hand on Dale’s and cupped the back of her neck. She leaned her forehead against her brow. “I’ve missed you. Every damn day I was here. All I could think about was how soon I could get back to you. And how to get you back.”

“You never lost me.” Dale looped her arms around Mai’s neck.

“Come inside? Or were you planning on throwing me in the truck and driving me back home tonight?”

Dale leaned back into Mai’s embrace. “I have all weekend.” She frowned. “But I’m probably going to have to move my truck.”

Mai took Dale’s hand and pulled her inside the open apartment. “Later.” She tugged Dale into a hard kiss and kicked the door closed.

They stumbled toward the living room. Mai kissed her way along Dale’s neck. “I missed you. So much.” She unzipped Dale’s jacket and slipped her hands inside. Dale moved her hands into Mai’s hair and tugged her closer. She licked the sweet shell of her ear. “I couldn’t stay angry. I tried.”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you. About the money and everything. I didn’t want things to change between us.”

Dale shivered as Mai shoved her jacket down over her shoulders and tossed it aside. “I get it. I know what it’s like to trust the wrong person and lose everything.”

Mai rested her head on Dale’s shoulder. “It’s not that I didn’t trust you, I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t think you wanted what I wanted. Living with you was a way to pretend you did.”

Dale moved back to raise Mai’s head. “What do you want, Mai?”

“You. Long-term. Not a hookup.”

Dale frowned and a flush of knowing spread across her face. “You thought I only wanted your body. Because of the app.”

Mai bit her lip. “I’m in love with you, Dale. I can’t pretend I’m not.” Mai hung her head. “Even if it’s not what you want, I want what I can have with you, as messed up as that sounds.”

Dale cupped Mai’s face and kissed her brow, her cheeks, and finally her mouth gently. “I wouldn’t have driven in the worst fucking traffic on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a hookup. I want you in my life. All of you. Not just the sexy bits. I love how you are with my kids and my crazy father. I love how you treat me as if I’m the most precious woman in the universe. I want you. All of you. Every day. I know you have to stay for now, but will you come back to me when you’re finished?”

Mai gazed into Dale’s eyes. “I’ve never left you.” She lifted Dale’s hand to her mouth and kissed her fingertips.

“Do you have to be anywhere today?” Dale eyed the clock display on the stovetop.

A half smile curved up Mai’s mouth. “Nope. But I think we need to move your truck to the building’s parking garage. This place comes with two spaces.”

“We need to move it now?”

“Yes.” Mai picked up Dale’s jacket and handed it to her. “Once I get you the way I want you, I’m not going to want to move for a long time.”

Dale raised her eyebrow. “And how is it you want me?” She rubbed her thumb over Mai’s lower lip.

“Naked and in my bed.”

Dale jingled her keys and held them out to Mai. “Let’s go.”